The 23rd Annual Ingles Giving Tree Lighting Ceremony

Ingles Markets and MANNA FoodBank invite you to attend the 23nd annual lighting of the Ingles Giving Tree at the Asheville Mall on Monday, Nov. 23, 2015, from 5-7 PM.

The Giving Tree is a 10-ton construction of non-perishable food items donated by Ingles Markets, and constructed and decorated by MANNA FoodBank staff and volunteers. Laura Ingle will light the tree and musical entertainment will be provided by the Bell Elementary School Chorus and the Asheville Choral Society.

Ingles will offer entry into a drawing for a $500 Ingles Markets gas card to anyone that donates non-perishable food at the Giving Tree on Nov. 23 and 24. There will be a drawing for the gift card on Nov. 25. You do not need to be present to win. Ingles will also match all financial donations made to MANNA at the Giving Tree, up to $25,000.

“We partner with MANNA year-round to help provide food for families facing hunger,” said Ron Freeman, CFO of Ingles Markets, in a statement. “We recognize that the holidays can be especially difficult. We invite our customers to celebrate the lighting of the tree and to join in giving in whatever way they can.”

MANNA FoodBank is able to provide food for three meals with every dollar donated, the nonprofit said.

“In 2014, MANNA distributed over 15.5 million pounds of food to WNC,” said Cindy Threlkeld, executive director of MANNA FoodBank. “This is enough to provide the food for 35,388 meals every day.”

“This would not be possible without the strong support of corporate partners like Ingles or the generosity of donors and volunteers,” she said.”We celebrate these acts of kindness every year when we light the Giving Tree.”